Budgets leave property tax increases alone

Published: Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 24, 2013 at 1:42 p.m.

Residents of Davidson County and its five municipalities — Lexington, Thomasville, Denton, Midway and Wallburg — won't see a property tax increase if proposed budgets for 2013-14 are passed. Some other fees are projected to rise, so wallets will feel a bit lighter, especially in the cities and towns. With municipal elections on tap for November, incumbents seeking re-election won't face charges of raising taxes this year from opponents.

The budgets have produced some interesting subplots. Denton leaders are scrambling to develop a budget after town manager Victor Pizzurro resigned unexpectedly May 17. They have until the end of June to pass a budget, so they should be fine. Davidson County commissioners continue to receive entreaties to add funding for a new high school in northern Davidson County to next year's budget, although that seems unlikely. The commissioners ultimately may face a choice between allocating funding for the high school, estimated to cost $45 million, or laying out up to $10 million to help build an industrial park in Linwood. Stay tuned.

The family of Chadric "Chad" Lee Newsome suffered the most when a judge declared a mistrial in the first-degree murder case against Phillip Scott Baker on Wednesday. The shocking turn of events occurred after jurors saw a written statement that mentioned Baker's previous criminal record. The judge made the proper legal decision, despite protests from prosecutors to continue the case, but the ruling clearly upset Newsome's family. They continue to grieve his death, and the trial certainly intensified the hurt. Now they face another trial at an undetermined time.

Davidson County hopes to follow the example of Wilkes County and see a sharp decline in its mortality rate from prescription drug overdoses. Interested parties met Thursday to hear from officials with the Northwest Community Care Network, made up of seven counties, including Davidson, and Project Lazarus, a nonprofit organization in Wilkes County that aims to deliver better pain relief and reduce drug overdose risks. Davidson County reported the highest rate of emergency department visits for substance abuse in the seven counties, so clearly the need the action exists.

The focus on small business development could reap job growth down the road. Large manufacturers moving to the county or expanding may generate the biggest headlines, but most job growth actually comes from small businesses. The Davidson County Community College Small Business Center held a summit Thursday that included sessions on several topics that could help these businesses. The center offers an important resource that established and new business owners should utilize.

<p>Residents of Davidson County and its <B>five municipalities </B>— Lexington, Thomasville, Denton, Midway and Wallburg — won't see a property tax increase if proposed budgets for 2013-14 are passed. Some other fees are projected to rise, so wallets will feel a bit lighter, especially in the cities and towns. With municipal elections on tap for November, incumbents seeking re-election won't face charges of raising taxes this year from opponents.</p><p>The budgets have produced some interesting subplots. Denton leaders are scrambling to develop a budget after town manager Victor Pizzurro resigned unexpectedly May 17. They have until the end of June to pass a budget, so they should be fine. Davidson County commissioners continue to receive entreaties to add funding for a new high school in northern Davidson County to next year's budget, although that seems unlikely. The commissioners ultimately may face a choice between allocating funding for the high school, estimated to cost $45 million, or laying out up to $10 million to help build an industrial park in Linwood. Stay tuned.</p><p>The family of Chadric "Chad" Lee Newsome suffered the most when a judge declared a <B>mistrial in the first-degree murder case </B>against Phillip Scott Baker on Wednesday. The shocking turn of events occurred after jurors saw a written statement that mentioned Baker's previous criminal record. The judge made the proper legal decision, despite protests from prosecutors to continue the case, but the ruling clearly upset Newsome's family. They continue to grieve his death, and the trial certainly intensified the hurt. Now they face another trial at an undetermined time.</p><p>Davidson County hopes to follow the example of Wilkes County and see a sharp decline in its mortality rate from <B>prescription drug overdoses. </B>Interested parties met Thursday to hear from officials with the Northwest Community Care Network, made up of seven counties, including Davidson, and Project Lazarus, a nonprofit organization in Wilkes County that aims to deliver better pain relief and reduce drug overdose risks. Davidson County reported the highest rate of emergency department visits for substance abuse in the seven counties, so clearly the need the action exists.</p><p>The focus on <B>small business development </B>could reap job growth down the road. Large manufacturers moving to the county or expanding may generate the biggest headlines, but most job growth actually comes from small businesses. The Davidson County Community College Small Business Center held a summit Thursday that included sessions on several topics that could help these businesses. The center offers an important resource that established and new business owners should utilize.</p>